PDP stages walkout over Togadia remark

Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) staged walkout of Jammu and Kashmir Assembly over the tense situation of district Rajouri continuously from last three days over ‘provocative’ remarks of VHP leader Praveen Togadia.

PDP legislator from Darhal Choudhary Zulfikar Ali raised issue in House over the government’s non-serious approach to solve this serious issue and no government official had visited turmoil town of Rajouri “Curfew is on in the Rajouri town for the last three days without any relaxation. People are facing shortage of essential commodities. We are living in a democratic society, no minister has bothered to visit the trouble torn town to pacify and diffuse the tension and government should have not granted the permission to VHP leader Parveen Tagodia to visit Rajouri”.

Togadia should not be allowed to visit again, however BJP MLA Ashok Khajuria objected his statement of banned on his visit “Vo app Ki Chati Par Pair Rakh Kara aye ga” Khajuria said amid anti-Praveen Togadia slogans, the PDP legislators created ruckus in the House and staged walkout.

Two senior legislatures CPI (M) MLA Mohammad Yousuf Tarigami and JKNPP MLA Harsh Dev Singh also raised their concerned and said Dr. Togadia has hurt the sentiments of the people.

They said, "Whether Hindu or Muslim, anybody who tries to create "communal" tension or divide between people should not be spared." PDP president Mehbooba Mufti said the government is answerable to the present situation in Rajouri.

Meanwhile speaker Mohammed Akbar Lone gave direction that a team of ministers should visit Rajouri to sort out the issue. Unsatisfied with the reply of speaker PDP members staged walkout from the assembly. On the walkout, Speaker said, You PDP will continue with your tradition of walkout”.

State Law and Parliamentary Affairs Minister Ali Mohammad Sagar told reporters that PDP is trying to gain political mileage over the issue.

The Minister said the government will send a team of ministers to Rajouri to assess the situation, "We have appealed to people of the region to maintain calm and harmony."